Director, at 101 With New Bride, Retires

At 101 and with a recent bride, Harry Hahn, director of Erie Federal Credit Union in Erie, Pa., has certainly earned the right to rest on his laurels a bit when it comes to industry service.

As probably the nation’s oldest living credit union director, Hahn is retiring after attending his last board meeting in June where he was as a nonvoting emeritus director. He has been a CU volunteer since at least 1959 and was a director of the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association for 15 years.

Over the years, Hahn has received a host of honors, including Volunteer of the Year and the Joseph A. Moore Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association. And he has been active in both the civic and political life of Erie and Pennsylvania.

Like others across Pennsylvania, Erie FCU President/CEO Mary Beth Wilcher said CUs have been “lucky to have him serving this industry as long as we have.”

Hardly a surprise, Hahn has suffered a hearing loss in recent years, “but he has always been as sharp as a tack, asking many good questions at board meetings,” said Wilcher.

Hahn joined Erie FCU following its merger with Hammermill FCU, where he had been a director. Hammermill was chartered in 1951 and Wilcher said that records show Hahn was a member of Hammermill’s original supervisory committee.

The local media and community groups have done a number of articles on Hahn, citing his career path at Hammermill Paper starting as a messenger and working up to a personnel executive.

“Harry’s dedication to this industry is unmeasured and very much appreciated,” said Wilcher. “As Harry moves into credit union retirement, he plans to remain active and continue serving the community as a volunteer in a number of organizations.”

He told one reporter that he recommends “everyone become a credit union volunteer and get the most out of life.”

A year ago Hahn, who has 19 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, married “and now can spend more time with his new bride, Theresa” noted the PCUA. Theresa is 91.